DAST-10: Drug Abuse Screening Test
10-item yes/no screener for drug abuse and dependence. Five severity levels: None to Severe. Pairs with AUDIT for comprehensive SBIRT workflows.
The DAST-10 is a 10-item validated yes/no screening tool for problematic drug use (excluding alcohol). Score 0–10; ≥3 indicates moderate drug problems requiring further assessment. Public domain. Skinner (1982). Free for clinical use.
What is the DAST-10?
The DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) is a brief validated self-report screening tool for identifying problems associated with drug misuse (excluding alcohol, which is covered by the AUDIT or CAGE). The original 28-item DAST was developed by Harvey Skinner (1982); the validated 10-item short form was derived by Gavin, Ross, and Skinner (1989). The DAST-10 has high sensitivity and specificity for DSM drug use disorder diagnoses.
The 10 items ask about drug use behaviors over the past 12 months. Most items score 1 point for "Yes," with one item (item 3) reverse-scored (1 point for "No"). Total scores range from 0 to 10. A score of 3 or higher indicates moderate drug problems and warrants further clinical assessment or referral.
The DAST-10 is in the public domain and endorsed by SAMHSA, NIDA, and multiple national substance use treatment guidelines. It is suitable for use in primary care, emergency departments, behavioural health, and substance use treatment settings.
Educational reference only. Cannot diagnose or replace clinical evaluation. This tool does not screen for alcohol use.
DAST-10 Score Interpretation
Gavin, Ross & Skinner (1989). DAST-10 excludes alcohol, use AUDIT or CAGE for alcohol screening. A score of 3+ warrants further clinical evaluation.
Substance Use Screening in HiBoop
DAST-10 alongside AUDIT, CAGE, and CRAFFT, automated scoring and longitudinal outcome tracking for substance use across your patient panel.
References
- 1.Gavin DR, Ross HE, Skinner HA. Diagnostic validity of the drug abuse screening test in the assessment of DSM-III drug disorders. Br J Addict. 1989;84(3):301-307.View source
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the DAST-10 measure?
The DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) is a 10-item yes/no screener measuring the degree of problematic drug use (excluding alcohol) in the past 12 months. Scores range 0–10; ≥3 indicates moderate to severe problems.
How do you score the DAST-10?
Each of the 10 yes/no items scores 1 point for Yes, with the exception of item 3 which is reverse-scored (1 point for No). Item scores are summed for a total of 0 to 10. Severity bands are 0 (no problems), 1 to 2 (low level), 3 to 5 (moderate), 6 to 8 (substantial), and 9 to 10 (severe drug problems).
What is a positive DAST-10 score?
A DAST-10 score of 3 or higher indicates moderate drug-related problems and warrants further clinical assessment. Scores of 6 or higher indicate substantial problems requiring specialist referral. The DAST-10 is a screening tool only; full clinical evaluation by a qualified clinician is required to diagnose a substance use disorder.
Is the DAST-10 free to use?
Yes. The DAST-10 is in the public domain and free for clinical and research use. It was developed by Skinner (1982) and validated by Gavin, Ross, and Skinner (1989).
Can I bill CPT 96127 for the DAST-10?
Yes, CPT 96127 (brief emotional/behavioural assessment) can be billed when a clinician administers, scores, and documents the DAST-10 with clinical interpretation. The DAST-10 takes 5 minutes and meets the 96127 threshold. Up to four scales can be billed per visit and the DAST-10 is commonly co-administered with the AUDIT to cover both alcohol and drug use.
What ICD-10 code does the DAST-10 support?
The DAST-10 supports screening for ICD-10-CM substance use disorder codes including F11.x (Opioid-related), F12.x (Cannabis-related), F14.x (Cocaine-related), F15.x (Other stimulant-related), F16.x (Hallucinogen-related), F18.x (Inhalant-related), and F19.x (Other psychoactive substance-related). Specific codes (F11.20 Opioid use disorder, moderate; F19.20 Other psychoactive substance use disorder) require structured clinical assessment using DSM-5-TR criteria.
Can the DAST-10 diagnose substance use disorder?
No. The DAST-10 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. A positive screen (≥3) warrants full clinical evaluation by a qualified clinician.
Bill this assessment
The DAST-10: Drug Abuse Screening Test qualifies for reimbursement under these CPT codes.
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